4-year-old injured in accidental shooting in N. Harris County

By Anita Hassan |
May 24, 2014
| Updated: May 24, 2014 10:22pm

A 10-year-old accidently shot his 4-year-old cousin in the leg in north Harris County Saturday, authorities said.

The boy allegedly found a 22 rifle inside the girl's home in the 1400 block of Danby Heath Lane and discharged the weapon around 11:45 a.m., said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland.

The bullet struck the lower part of the girl's leg, Gilliland said. Paramedics took her to an area hospital, where she was treated and released.

Gilliland said the rifle was brought to the home by a relative the night before. Another family member then took the firearm and put it in a closet for safety.

At this time, no charges have been filed and the case is still under investigation. Authorities are interviewing all adults that were in the home when the shooting occurred, Gilliland said.

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Estella Olguin said case workers are also looking into the case to determine how the child accessed the firearm, as well as whether there are any other issues in the home, said agency No further information was immediately available.